You know the saying when someone says "If I had a dollar for every XXXX, I would be very rich" - well if I got a dollar for each bicycle in Amsterdam, I could travel the world for a very long time, do not really want to be rich.....

Welcome to Amsterdam,

With a flight from New York to London with Virgin Atlantic (great Airline) and great company on the flight before I knew it was time to touchdown and fight my way through customs once again. And once again answer those customs questions about your work "Do you plan to further your carrer whilst in London" - No Sir, "Do you plan to use any of UK public Funding?" - definitley not sir

So out through customs and suprised to see my bags first on the carousal (I think they need to get the smell off the plane as quick as possible) and then out to the terminal gates where I would met an old friend from Oz (Nicola) who is spending the next 2 months or so traveling through Europe before meeting up with the other half in Asia somwhere (tough life huh!).

With only 24 hours or so home before our schedule trip to Amsterdam, there was a lot of washing to be done and re-orgainsing. A couple of new faces in the Hanger Lane house to met and great and share a few beers with.

Next day and a big sleep in (oh to be in a normal non hostel bed for a night - bliss) and then up and pack and on our way again to the airport. No major hassles getting through but had to laugh when the guy patting me down through security asked where I was off too "Amsterdam, sir" - ohh really - well we will get you on the way back (I assume that this was Custom Security Humour). I hope...

. I had no idea and by the time we levelled out it was time to begin our decent! Touch down a bit rough and with the weather not looking too well we hoped it would improve. After a few rejections at hostels we find one and settle in nicely! Out for dinner and some beers and suck in the amotshphere and to watch the weird people walk this earth through the streets of Amsterdam.

Now I am not sure what is going on, but last I checked my name is not Charlie but all these dodgy big black guys keep saying "Hey you, Charlie" - hmm must be a local thing, maybe they call all their mates Charlie... ;-)

Next day and the weather is beautiful and after a month of cruising around Canada (exhausting of course) Nicola and I plan to find a park get some food, beers and kick back in "Amsterdamming Style". Now that was a funny afternoon day and night! I am not sure but those cakes we bought from the Bakery or was it a coffehouse??? - I think they were a little off because they made us a little bit weird.... Might have to report them to the Food Authorities... I think, or maybe not!

After considering that I have been living in London for a while and I am now a white person, yesterdays sun seemed to hit pretty hard and am paying for it today

. But with another gorgeous day a canal cruise was in order - oh so nice! Pitty it was only an hour would love to have kicked back on the boat for hours and hours.

Here is another thing I have noticed, back home all the boys get in their cars and drive up and down the streets wit music blarring etc, here in Amsterdam same things happen but the boys cruise up and down the canals with their "cool" boats! Funny to watch! Spent the day wondering around taking photos of people and people on bikes and just bikes and am completely exhausted!

With an early rise tomorrow planned for a day trip out to the Windmills, Tulips and Clog Factory it is sure to be a funny day

Until then take care! Jay

"If anyone would like to donate money to me to continue travelling and avoid me going to work I would be really happy... please email if you can help out!" Thanks